Random thoughts of a Preacher and Musician

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Y – Youth

The Bible has a lot to say to and about youth. In the Wisdom Literature, particularly Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, there is much instruction and advice given to those who are young. Much of those two books was written by King Solomon, apart from Jesus himself probably the wisest man who ever lived. And yet even he with all of his wisdom failed towards the end of his life.

He wrote from his life experiences, as if he did not want the young people to whom he was writing to fall into the same trap as he had. Probably his most important words to them come at the end of Ecclesiastes:

“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth” Ecclesiastes 12:1.

He then goes on to list the reasons why it is so important. He himself had found that as he became older there were other things which distracted him from doing so. In other words, younger people have clearer minds.

He ends the book by giving an instruction to all, but is especially directing it to the youth he has been writing to:

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12: 13 – 14 NIV

In our 21st century world, whether young or not so young, we need to take notice of that. Of course, we are not in ourselves capable of perfectly fearing God and keeping his commandments. So, as we have reminded ourselves so often in these posts, we can trust completely in Jesus who did!